Irish veterinarian Demi O’Byrne dominated the final day of the Tattersalls December Foal Sale buying the top four lots comprising three foal by GALILEO and a session topping son of HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR. Trade on the fifth and final day saw 98 lots sold for 3,732,600 guineas, at an average of 38,088 guineas and a median 16,000 guineas. This took the five day total to 562 foals sold for 14,549,100 guineas at an average of 25,888 guineas and a median of 8,750 guineas.

SALES RESULTS: DAY 1 | DAY 2 | DAY 3 | DAY 4 | DAY 5 | FULL SALE (EXCEL FORMAT)

The session topping foal and sale topping colt was the son of first season stallion HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR out of the Group 1 Irish 1000 Guineas winner TARASCON. Consigned from Tom Gaffney’s Churchtown House Stud, the son of the dual Group 1 winner HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR attracted initial interest from BBA Ireland’s Adrian Nicoll as well as German International’s Rudiger Alles before O’Bryne took over, finally signing for the grandson of DANEHILL at 425,000 guineas. HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR won the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes and Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagadere before retiring to stud at the start of his three-year-old season when ante-post favourite for the 2000 Guineas, in order to fill in for the infertile GEORGE WASHINGTON.

LOT 1434: HOLY ROMAM EMPEROR Purchased by Demi O’Bryne for 425,000 gns

The first of the three GALILEO foals to go through the ring on the final day was the colt out of the SALSE mare SITARA who was consigned by Robert Pocock’s Stringston Farm in Somerset. SITARA is a half-sister to SHOUK, the dam of English and Irish Oaks winner ALEXANDROVA and Group 1 winner MAGICAL ROMANCE, and the dam of GOLDEN SWORD, the Aidan O’Brien trained son of HIGH CHAPARRAL who is as short as 25-1 for next year’s Derby. Interest in the colt came initially from bloodstock agents David McGreavy and Charlie Gordon-Watson as well as Tony Nerses, but none were able to better O’Bryne’s bid of 380,000 guineas.

LOT 1362: GALILEO - SITARA Purchased by Demi O’Byrne Stud for 380,000 gns

A little over 30 minutes later O’Bryne was at it again, this time signing for a GALILEO filly out of the Listed placed WARNING mare ALESSIA for 210,000 guineas. Consigned from Joe Rogers’ Ballintry stud in Ireland, the filly is a half-sister to the Listed placed PIVOTAL gelding PINPOINT whilst her dam ALESSIA is a half-sister to the German Group winners ARCADIO and ASSIUN. O’Byrne secured the GALILEO filly after he saw off the efforts of BBA Ireland’s Patrick Cooper. LOT 1375:

GALILEO - ALESSIA Purchased by Demi O’Byrne for 210,000 gns

The final of the three GALILEO foals purchased by O’Byrne on the final day of the Tattersalls December Foal Sale was the filly out of the GONE WEST mare DOULA. Consigned by Lady Joanna Wellesley’s Marston Stud, the half-sister to the Listed placed HUMUNGOUS attracted interest from Glidawn Stud’s Ger Burke and Lodge Park Stud’s Seamus Burns, but it was once again O’Byrne who prevailed at 280,000 guineas.

LOT 1416: GALILEO - DOULA Purchased by Demi O’Byrne for 280,000 gns

At the conclusion of the 2008 Tattersalls December Foal Sale, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony commented; “These are testing times globally and no period of sharp readjustment, in whatever sphere, is easy. We have experienced significant declines this week, in particular at the beginning of the week when the lesser foals struggled to find buyers, but quality foals have continued to attract plenty of competition, albeit at lower levels than we have been used to in recent years. In that respect, this week’s foal trade has mirrored our yearling market where the upper echelons held up remarkably well, but the heavily populated lower levels looked very exposed to the harsh realities of the global economy. “As we have previously stressed, none of us can expect to be immune from the impact of the prevailing conditions, but we have a good breeding stock catalogue to look forward to, starting on Monday, which as ever looks set to attract an international cast of buyers. The quality of the catalogue is the key ingredient, but in addition the majority of the overseas buyers will benefit from the dramatic strengthening of almost all currencies against sterling which is one positive to take from the recent upheavals.”

For further information please contact Jimmy George, Marketing Director Tel: +44 (0) 1638 665931, Fax: +44 (0) 1638 660850, e-mail: jimmy.george@tattersalls.com www.tattersalls.com.

Steiner Leisure Limited is a global spa provider specializing in spa recruitment, management, operations, product manufacturing and distribution, treatment developement and education. If you go to our portfolio, this section explains our various brands and divisions.

Steiner’s success is built upon its commitment and passion for excellence and we seek to work with individuals who share these same values.

If you are a motivated individual with a passion for health and beauty, then we invite you to explore our available positions.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Read about Steiners job oppotunities browse spa career opportunities.

Shambhala is a sophisticated, luxurious and professional Asian Day Spa offering a stress reducing, beauty enhancing and mind relaxing experience.

Every aspect of Shambhala Spa has been designed to soothe – from fragrances in the enriched air and the mood music wafting quietly, to the muted colors of the interior, the natural materials and the fluffiness of freshly laundered towels. Shambhala is a Sanskrit term meaning “a place of peace, tranquility and happiness”. In Tibetan Buddhist tradition, Shambhala is a mythical kingdom hidden somewhere beyond the snowpeaks of the Himalayas.

It is described as a beautiful place, built in the form of a lotus flower, Only individuals with the appropriate karma can reach it and experience it as such.

Shambhala is believed to be a society where all the inhabitants are enlightened, a Buddhist “Pure Land”, centered by a capital city called Kalapa. that people of all faiths can aspire to and actually realize.Shambhala Asian Day Spa is located at 5 minutes walk from the historical center of Paraty, with a beautiful view on the mountains and the Jabaquara bay.

You can enjoy your treatments inside our stylish spa, get a relaxing massage in one of the oriental gazebos in our Balinese garden, or just sit and relax in our lounge and enjoy the view.

We are open from Tuesday to Saturday, from 2pm til 9pm, and Sundays from 10am to 5pm.

For more information go to www.shambhalaspa.com.br

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - If you’re confident about keeping your job, now might be the time to take up golf. Prices for exclusive golf club memberships in Singapore have been whacked as the global financial crisis seeps into the real economy. A recession, falling profits at Singapore firms and job losses are leading golfers to sell transferable memberships and putting off would-be players from forking out the fees.

Memberships for locals at the prestigious Sentosa Golf Club, which will host the Singapore Open competition next week, have slid to S$180,000 ($120,400), after changing hands on an open market last year at S$300,000, golf club agents said.

The country’s biggest bank, DBS Group, said on Friday it would slash 6 percent of its workforce or 900 jobs, around half in Singapore, the latest blow to a financial services industry where golf is part of the business culture.

Club membership has also been seen as the top status symbol for aspirant Singaporeans looking for the “five Cs”: cash, credit card, car, condo(minium) and club.

But agents said prices for foreigners at the Sentosa Golf Club had held their ground at S$270,000 because of a limited number of such memberships.

“Sentosa is also very speculative because of the Integrated Resorts — people think the price will go up,” said one agent for the golf club membership market, referring to a planned development of a casino and a Universal Studios theme park on the island.

However, for those looking to relieve stress and pick up a bargain, memberships at the nine-hole Changi Golf Club, near the city state’s Changi Airport, are down to S$7,000.

Established in 1878, The Australian Club is one of nine clubs founded in Melbourne by English settlers in the 19th century. The Australian Club has a rich history and was originally founded as a venue for Melbourne and Victorian businessmen to lodge and associate.

Today, The Australian Club still serves as a destination for those looking to escape the strain of modern life, and relax in an inviting and friendly atmosphere. All the original architecture remains intact, showing the club’s true 19th century Victorian origins. Although many of the rules of the club have changed over the years, it still retains its tradition and prosperity as one of Melbourne’s finest clubs.

Today, members bring both male and female guests into the Club to enjoy not only its special surroundings, but also its fine cuisine and attentive service.
Located in the heart of Melbourne’s legal and financial district, The Australian Club offers superb facilities for fine dining, functions and corporate events. Membership, which is available to members’ colleagues, offers exclusive benefits and access to the many popular events that have become a tradition at the Club.

The Australian Club also offers excellent accommodation for members and their guests. Similarly, members have access to numerous clubs elsewhere in Australia and in major countries overseas through the Club’s reciprocal arrangements.

For more information go to www.theaustralianclub.com

Fairmont Heritage Place, the private residence club offering from Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, today announced that it has assumed management of two North American-based private residence clubs formerly operated by Storied Places(R), an Intrawest company. Joining Fairmont Heritage Place’s exclusive collection are the Fairmont Heritage Place at Nature’s Door, Whistler and Fairmont Heritage Place Inspiration, Miramar Beach in Sandestin, Florida. These additions enhance and extend the Fairmont Heritage Place portfolio, which now consists of five locations, over 200 luxury homes and more than 2,000 homeowners worldwide.

“The addition of these leading resort destinations, combined with recently announced private residence projects in places like the Kingdom of Sheba development on the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai, Zimbali in South Africa and Vail, Colorado, supports our residential growth strategy of adding developments that are of the highest quality, situated in the world’s most spectacular locations, and offer a unique mix of lifestyle and leisure offerings,” said Thomas W. Storey, President, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. “New homeowners will have the opportunity to enjoy the exclusive benefits and privileges of Fairmont Heritage Place, such as club-to-hotel exchanges, and we look forward to providing them with the personalized and thoughtful service that has made Fairmont famous throughout the world.”

Providing ski-in, ski-out access next to the Dave Murray Downhill Olympic Ski run, Fairmont Heritage Place at Nature’s Door, Whistler features 22 well-appointed and fully furnished vacation homes. Reflecting the rustic charm of the Pacific Northwest, these luxury homes range in size from three to four-bedrooms and offer mountain inspired amenities like private outdoor hot tubs, customary wood-burning fireplaces, and wrap-around decks providing unparalleled views of Whistler Blackcomb. Original artwork by local British Columbian artisans adorn each home and all feature private media centers equipped with large flat panel televisions and DVD players.

Overlooking the protected wetlands of Choctawhatchee Bay and nestled amongst the lush fairways and manicured greens of the award-winning Burnt Pine Golf Club rests the 20 luxury homes of Fairmont Heritage Place Inspiration, Miramar Beach. Here homeowners enjoy the comfort of three-bedroom residences that showcase vaulted ceilings, wrought-iron canopy beds, and kitchenettes featuring White Carrera Bianco marble and stainless steel countertops. Within the resort development itself, homeowners also have convenient access to the new Village of Baytowne Wharf, four-championship golf courses, the Sandestin Golf Academy, a 98 slip-marina, 15 tennis courts, and 17 restaurants including waterfront dining.

“These exquisite private residence clubs are extremely successful and consistently receive some of the highest guest satisfaction ratings in the lodging industry,” said Brian Collins, President at Intrawest ULC. “There is tremendous compatibility with our Storied Places fractional ownership concept and Fairmont’s private residence club. This new ownership model will introduce the Fairmont brand to Sandestin and deepen their brand presence at Whistler Blackcomb which will maximize the benefits for owners. As we look toward the future, Intrawest will continue to seek opportunities to partner with Fairmont to design, build, manage and operate new and innovative real estate projects.”

Fairmont Heritage Place is a leading operator of private residence clubs throughout the world. Featuring luxury home developments in world-class destinations like San Francisco, Telluride and Acapulco, Fairmont Heritage Place combines the impressive amenities and attentive service of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts with the luxurious comforts of an elegant private retreat. Fairmont Heritage Place owners, as well as being able to enjoy their own homes, can utilize their allotted time at other Fairmont Heritage Place locations around the world. They also have the unique opportunity to enjoy exchange privileges at Fairmont’s collection of distinctive hotels and resorts, including landmark properties like the century-old Savoy hotel in London and The Fairmont Banff Springs in the Canadian Rockies.

For additional information, please visit: www.fairmontheritageplace.com.

The Makati Business Club is a private non-stock, non-profit business association organized as a Forum for Constructive Ideas. As a forum, the MBC is dedicated to addressing economic and social policy issues which affect the development of the Philippines. The main thrust of the MBC is to foster and promote the role of the private business sector in national development efforts, both in the planning and the implementation of policy.

Founded in 1981, the MBC is composed of over 800 chief executive officers and senior executives representing almost 450 of the largest and most dynamic corporations in the Philippines. Over the years, the MBC has become the leading forum for business and government leaders to address. Issues discussed before the MBC have included trade and investment policy, monetary and fiscal matters, labor and employment, energy, education, health, media, foreign policy, and politics and elections.

MBC’s mission as a Forum for Constructive Ideas is carried primarily through three main lines of activity: policy advocacy, information services and publishing, and investment promotion. The Makati Business Club provides members business information and services and analysis of key macroeconomic indicators through its various publications and reports such as MBC Research Reports, CongressWatch Reports, Philippine Business, and the Philippine Government Directory.

MBC’s investment promotion activities are carried out mainly through its bilateral Business Councils and Regional Affiliates.

For more information please go to www.mbc.com.ph

After more than 30 years of dereliction, a once stately home just a birdie away from the Duke’s Course is being restored. Craigtoun House was built in 1903 by the Younger family and experienced its heyday in the 1900s.

The classic stone mansion ­ once known as Mount Melville House after a previous owner ­ suffered at the hands of public ownership for almost 50 years. Bought by Fife County Council for £25,000 in 1947, it was turned into a hospital in 1949.

Massive renovations saw the horrific addition of a boxy soviet-style maternity ward out the back and the destruction of historic fittings in favour of nurse call-bells and swinging emergency doors. It was abandoned in 1970 and fell into disrepair.

Enter reclusive and golf-mad US billionaire Herb Kohler. In 1992 in partnership with Golf Resorts International he snapped up the Old Course Hotel Golf Resort and Spa, giving him control over the iconic hotel, the Duke’s Course and Craigtoun House.

“Something too beautiful to not be made use of,” was how a Kohler Company spokeswoman judged Craigtoun House. And in fitting with that, Kohler has ordered the restoration of the building to convert it into 18 luxury apartments.

London-based Cornhill Interiors is overseeing the restoration. The firm has completed luxury fit-outs for clients including Harrods, the Dorchester and Louis Vuitton in Edinburgh.

Cornhill project manager Sean Theobold, working in conjunction with his wife Claire, has moved into a home just down the road from the project and says public interest is incredible. “When we first arrived here we just sat on a huge rock out the front and fell in love with the building.

“People knock on our door at home asking us what we’re doing up there. A lot of our workers were either born or their parents were born in the hospital, so there is a lot of pride in the job. We see it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and a real honour to work on. People turn up at work and just fall in love,” says Theobold.

The team has been on site since April, securing the building and assessing what must go and what should be preserved. Cornhill Interiors director Norman Sell says the 1950s hospital refit was “sacrilege” and destroyed some of the home’s best features. “We’ve got real catacomb areas where the hospital has put up walls to section tiny rooms up. It’s insanity,” he says.

The first commercial horse racing event in mainland China since the Communists took power in 1949 will take place in the central city of Wuhan this weekend, local media reported on Tuesday.

Riders will compete for a total of 120,000 yuan ($17,570) in prize money in four test runs in a newly-built 30,000-seat track.

The meeting will pave the way for regular races in the future, expected to be held two days a week, the Beijing Evening Post said.

State news agency Xinhua reported earlier this year that the Chinese government was considering legalising gambling on horse races, starting with trials in Wuhan, a centre for horse racing in the early part of last century.

But this weekend there will be strictly-limited betting, with only prizes other than cash on offer, the newspaper added.

Horse racing reappeared in the early 1990s after being listed among a string of vices, together with gambling in general, and prohibited when the Communists won the Chinese civil war in 1949.
Betting on horse races could be a business that produces 3 million jobs and generates 40 billion yuan in tax revenues each year, if given the go-ahead, Xinhua quoted a researcher as saying.

Betting on horses is already extremely popular, and legal, in the former British territory of Hong Kong, which returned to Chinese rule in 1997